since we have now started early voting how is it that

[littlewolf]

the races are so close, I mean 1-3 points on most races and in many cases
both candidates are under 50 percent ...

[2naSalit]

1. Keep in mind that

the polls are the results of mostly telephone surveys which can only call land lines, cell phones are off limits. that might have something to do with it and our all-knowing media fails to mention that little caveat.

[Cal33]

2. Also, when in a voting building, your cell phone has to be turned off.

[demwing]

3. Cell phones are regularly contacted by quality pollsters

but you cant legally autodial cellphones.

Still, the idea that cellphone users are ignored is inaccurate.

Here's a good article on the subject:

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4880127

[2naSalit]

4. Thanks

I was once a survey "dialer" and was instructed to terminate calls to businesses and cell phones. And I have been contacted for a political survey back in '08 on my cell phone. I suspect that the majority of calls are made to landlines and then tere are those who lie to the callers too. I am somewhat skeptical about their value at times.